California Courts: Self-Help Center: More Topics: How to Change Your Name or Your Gender: Changing the Name of a Child: What if I Don't Know Who My Child's Father Is?

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You are here: More Topics > How to Change Your Name or Your Gender > Changing the Name of a Child > What if I Don't Know Who My Child's Father Is?

You will have to file papers explaining to the judge why you really don't know who the father is, and anything you tried to find out who he is. Then you'll have to ask the judge for permission to go ahead with your child's change of name without the father.

If your child was conceived through artificial insemination, with an unknown donor, then let the court know that. You still have to serve the other parent if your child has another legal parent other than you.

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Last modified: 03/17/2008

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